Top developers can have a life outside coding
belenalbeza.com
Top developers can have a life outside coding
1–10 of 241 posts
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#2I used to code 24/7, and have "startup" side projects back in college, but 8 years later, and I like having a life outside of work. It also makes me fresher and more motivated when I come to work.
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#3"Top developer" is really subjective and depends how to score them. AI? bioinformatics? embedded programming? web applications (frontend, backend)? compiler design? graphics rendering? simulations? games?
Then, top at which level... in your company? in your city? in your country? in the world?...
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#4Something many businesses seem to forget is that if you want a developer to be the technical face of your business then they need to be able to write great code, but they also need to be able to chat to people at networking events, make small talk with clients, explain things in non-technical ways to investors, and so on. Employing people who have interests outside of coding really helps with that.
Likewise, if you're a developer who has ambitions of being a CEO, or an evangelist, or a team lead, then you need to be able to talk to people who aren't developers about things that aren't development, and that means having interests outside of code.
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#5Why are we making a special case for software developers, on points we would agree on in other professions?
Let's say you're making a movie, and you're hiring your music composer. Both candidates have nearly identical CVs/experience/recommandations. - Candidate 'A' says "I'm only doing this for money, I can't show you any of my work because of NDAs". - Candidate 'B' says "I spend a lot of time composing in my freetime, here's a link to my soundcloud page". Which one are you going to hire?
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#6I disagree. If you want to be the best and be highly successful, then you have to work hard. If you don't, someone else will.
There are plenty of companies and positions where you can have a great work/life balance, but if you want to be the best, just as in everything else in life, you have to work harder than everybody else.
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#7>We, as an industry, are going to a dangerous place when we don't just expect, but require people to keep working after work.
For what values of 'industry'? I mean, I totally agree that if this is your local view then you are in a bad place but IME this is far from universal.
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#8I disagree. If you want to be the best and be highly successful, then you have to work hard. If you don't, someone else will. There are plenty of companies and positions where you can have a great work/life balance, but if you want to be the best, just as in everything else in life, you have to work harder than everybody else.
I take great pride in the quality of my work. That's exactly why I stop working when I go home. That's why I demand an excellent work-life balance from my employers.
If what being "the best" gets you is no life outside of work, then I'd rather be bad at my craft and retain the ability to pursue multiple interests.
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#9I think this article is detached from reality.
Most people who contribute to OS are on low income, unemployed or students. Top developers in banks and startups dont have time for that, or are forbidden by their company.
Being "top developer" is one of the most family friendly jobs that ever existed. You can work remotely at your own time. I quit cubicle and started working on opensource because I had family.
> you might develop a mental illness, like depression,
Many people in IT are a bit weird. Again its one of the most friendly jobs that exists. Developer does not even have to speak to people, all can be done via email.
> 20-year-old white guys with no responsibilities and/or with enough income to "buy" more free time
Good old racism and man hate is doing just fine.
Re: Top developers can have a life outside coding
#10I disagree. If you want to be the best and be highly successful, then you have to work hard. If you don't, someone else will. There are plenty of companies and positions where you can have a great work/life balance, but if you want to be the best, just as in everything else in life, you have to work harder than everybody else.
I take great pride in the quality of my work. That's exactly why I stop working when I go home. That's why I demand an excellent work-life balance from my employers. If what being "the best" gets you is no life outside of work, then I'd rather be bad at my craft and retain the ability to pursue multiple interests.
Just to clarify that I didn't imply that being good at your job and having a life are mutually exclusive.
What I meant is that if you want to be the best in your field or you want your startup to succeed, then you do have to sacrifice some other things.
(The article mentioned "Top", not just good)